Minister’s Day out on Bus Day

It was a day out of the hustle and bustle of the silicon city, far from the madding crowd. And for once, Mr. Ashoka, Hon. Minister for Transport and Food and Civil Supplies, sat behind the  wheels to sing all through the way after flagging off a “Jolly ride” of visually impaired students of Samarthanam Trust to Bannerghatta National Park to commemorate The BUS DAY here today.

Over, 100 excited differently-abled students of Samarthanam, set out for a bump less jolly ride in 2 Volvo buses accompanied by the Minister to Bannerghatta . It was an out of the world experience to the visually impaired students, who enjoyed the drive to the national park in a Volvo. It can be recollected here that, Mr. Ashoka had promised the students a jolly ride along with their favorite refreshments while he celebrated his birthday last month. “I feel blessed to share such an opportunity to travel with these differently abled children who cannot see but can experience the environ and the wildlife through their inner vision… nothing else can be more meaningful on a bus day than this!” said an elated Ashok. I wanted them to have the feel of traveling in a world class technology he added. Savitha, who is visually impaired, touched the elephant which garlanded the minister and the visually impaired at Bannerghatta for the first time in her life! Nandini, another visually impaired person, said that she feels lucky to be a part of the wildlife safari and feels more confident now. She was in high spirits and so were others who thanked the Minister profusely for such a wonderful trip! Delicious food, all time favorite masala dosas, jamoons and other refreshments were served. It was a day off the routine humdrum for Mr. Ashok who also played antakshari humming to few old Kannada melodies.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mahantesh G.K., Managing Trustee of Samarthanam thanked and praised Mr. Ashok profusely for his concern for the differently abled while congratuling him for being one of the most proactive transport ministers the State ever saw. Mr. SK. Nataraj, Hon. Mayor, BBMP, Mr. B. N. Vijay Kumar, MLA, Jayanagar, Mr. M. Krishnappa, MLA, Bangalore South and Corporators, Mr. Ramesh A., Mr. Chandrashekhar Raju, Mr. C.K. Ramamurthy, Mr.  B. Somashekhar, Mr. N. Nagaraju were part of the trip.